Lillian Palmer, Billings Gazette Journalist Profile

Articles

Saga of Billings' Ironwood ‘Castle’ continues; it's back on the market for $26M

3 days ago | billingsgazette.com | Lillian Palmer

Billings' largest, most elaborate mansion, dubbed the Castle, is back on the market for $26.9 million. The palatial estate made national headlines in 2018 due to the embezzling and faked-abduction scandals of its original owner. The AmenitiesThe multimillion-dollar, 30,843 square-foot palace-like property began construction in in 2014 on Billings’ far West End at 5650 Canyonwoods Dr. in Ironwood and includes 70 acres of property, 10 beds, 15.5 baths and a 14-car garage.
Mr. Thrifty Foods closing after 20 years in north Billings

1 week ago | billingsgazette.com | Lillian Palmer

Mr. Thrifty Foods, north Billings’ neighborhood discount grocery store at 201 N. 14th St., and the last Billings location, will be closing its doors this month after 20 years in business. The store's last day open for business will be Wednesday, June 25, according to a post on the business' social media. “I want to start by thanking each of you for all your support and friendship over the years,” Mr. Thrifty Foods shared.
Construction begins for new $1B St. Vincent Regional Hospital

1 week ago | billingsgazette.com | Lillian Palmer

Dirt work has begun on Intermountain Health St. Vincent’s approximated $1 billion construction project for a modern, state-of-the-art regional hospital. The 14-floor, 737,000 square-foot facility will go up at 27th Street and 12th Avenue North in downtown Billings and is scheduled for completion by 2029. Its construction is projected to be a significant economic driver for Billings.
Billings At Home store to close as part of company's bankruptcy

1 week ago | billingsgazette.com | Lillian Palmer

At Home is closing 26 stores nationwide, and their Billings location is one of them. The Plano, Texas, based home decor and furniture company is filing for bankruptcy and hopes these closures will sustain the company forward. “While we have made significant progress advancing our initiatives to date, we are operating against the backdrop of an increasingly dynamic and rapidly evolving trade environment as we navigate the impact of tariffs,” CEO Brad Weston said in a statement.
Burritos Don Chuy's house-made red beer

1 week ago | billingsgazette.com | Lillian Palmer

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Southern charm: Mexican ice cream shop opens in Billings' Heights

1 week ago | billingsgazette.com | Lillian Palmer

There’s a new ice cream shop in Billings, unlike any other in town. Heartbeat Coffee and Ice Cream at 1414 Main St. is bringing all the authentic flavors of Mexico, locally made in Montana, to the Billings’ Heights. The new shop will feature paletas, or popsicles, along with the owners' other authentic Mexican street food offerings. Heartbeat is a family-owned business.
Feds use DEI to kill Billings' $1M urban tree-planting grant

1 week ago | billingsgazette.com | Lillian Palmer

Funding for urban trees in Billings is tight, especially now that the city’s hard won $1 million urban forestry grant for disadvantaged areas was terminated by the federal government in April. The already awarded grant, which would have been used to beautify underserved portions of Billings, was withdrawn by the Trump administration due to its supposed association with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
New video production company launches to put Billings on the cinematic map

2 weeks ago | billingsgazette.com | Lillian Palmer

A budding video production company in Billings aims to elevate Montana’s filmmaking and showcase the beauty and talent within it with high quality production. Fred Wilburn, a second-generation Montanan with a risk-taking spirit, has partnered with local longtime filmmaker Dominic Ballard of JoJo Productions to create Mirror Reflection Media. They intend to bring locally produced, California-quality filmmaking to the people of Montana. Billings is already on the map.
Billings' Dana Motors closes after 55 years and three generations of employee ownership

2 weeks ago | billingsgazette.com | Lillian Palmer

Dana Motors’ last day running is June 27. The dealership’s inventory is gone, but the shop is still servicing vehicles until the end of the month. President Del McCormick is retiring from the dealership he’s been a part of for almost 25 years, and said, “It’s just time.”“Things have never been the same since COVID,” he said. “Car business in general is very different since COVID.”With a changing industry, and health issues himself, he decided it was time to throw in the towel.
Kitty Corner, a cat-haven internet cafe to open in Billings

2 weeks ago | billingsgazette.com | Lillian Palmer

There’s a unique internet café opening in Billings this summer, founded by two mental health counselors, Anna Claypool and Juletta Gilge. The cafe's patrons will find the usual necessities like couches, tables, chairs, free Wi-Fi. But they'll be sharing the space with feline company. The Kitty Corner Cafe will be home to free-roaming, adoptable cats from Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter.

Journalists covering the same region

Greg Tuttle

Greg Tuttle primarily covers news in the southwestern region of Montana, United States, including areas around the Bitterroot Valley and surrounding towns.